Methods for Treating Psychiatric Disorders Using Light Energy

ABSTRACT

Methods for treating psychiatric disorders using light energy are disclosed herein. A method for treating psychiatric disorders using light energy includes determining which hemisphere of the brain requires treatment using lateral visual field stimulation (LVFS) and applying light energy to the hemisphere of the brain to treat the psychiatric disorder other than depression. In an embodiment, light energy may include near infrared light (NIR). The methods of the present disclosure may be used to treat a variety of psychiatric disorders. In an embodiment, the methods may be used to treat a psychiatric disorder co-morbid with depression.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of copending U.S. Utility applicationSer. No. 13/481,820, filed on May 26, 2012, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Utility application Ser. No. 12/855,258, filed on Aug. 12, 2010,which claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/233,318, filed on Aug. 12, 2009, the entireties ofeach which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to the treatment of psychiatricdisorders, and more particularly to the treatment of psychiatricdisorders using light energy.

BACKGROUND

The application of intense light, a non-ionizing phototherapy, has beenreported in over a thousand scientific publications to have therapeuticefficacy for a wide range of disorders in humans without any observedharmful effects. Light has been demonstrated in cell culture to increasemitochondrial respiration, increase ATP synthesis, increase heat shockproteins, induce transforming growth factor β-1, and increase nerve cellproliferation and migration. Light has been tested in animals tofacilitating wound healing, promote the process of skeletal muscleregeneration, and reduce infarct size in ischemic heart muscle by 50 to70% in an induced experimental model in rats and dogs. Light in the nearinfrared spectrum, which penetrates the scalp and skull, cansignificantly reduce damage from experimentally induced stroke in ratsand rabbits, and to improve the memory performance of middle aged mice,and reduce damage from acute stroke in humans. A method of treatingpsychiatric disorders using light energy is needed.

SUMMARY

Methods for treating psychiatric disorders using light energy aredisclosed herein.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method fortreating psychiatric disorders using light energy, including determiningwhich hemisphere of the brain requires treatment using lateral visualfield stimulation (LVFS) and applying light energy to the hemisphere ofthe brain to treat the psychiatric disorder other than depression. In anembodiment, light energy may include near infrared light (NIR). Themethods of the present disclosure may be used to treat a variety ofpsychiatric disorders.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method fortreating a psychiatric disorder in a patient, including measuring a lefthemispheric emotional valence and a right hemispheric emotional valencefor a left hemisphere of the brain and a right hemisphere of the brainusing a lateral visual field stimulation test; determining whichhemisphere of the brain needs treatment; and applying light energy tothe hemisphere of the brain to treat the psychiatric disorder co-morbidwith depression.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method fortreating a psychiatric disorder in a patient, including measuring a lefthemispheric emotional valence for a left hemisphere of the brain and aright hemispheric emotional valence for a right hemisphere of the brainusing a lateral visual field stimulation test; determining thehemisphere of the brain in need of treatment; and applying light energyto the hemisphere of the brain to treat the psychiatric disorderco-morbid with depression.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method fortreating psychiatric disorders using light energy, including determiningwhich hemisphere of the brain has a more positive psychology or valence,using lateral visual field stimulation (LVFS), and applying light energyto the hemisphere with the more positive valence. In an embodiment,light energy may include near infrared light (NIR). The methods of thepresent disclosure may be used to treat a variety of psychiatricdisorders.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method fortreating psychiatric disorders using light energy, including determiningwhich hemisphere of the brain has a more negative psychology or valence,using lateral visual field stimulation (LVFS), and applying light energyto the hemisphere with the more negative valence to improve itsfunctioning. In an embodiment, light energy may include near infraredlight (NIR). The methods of the present disclosure may be used to treata variety of psychiatric disorders.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method fortreating psychiatric disorders using light energy, including determiningwhich hemisphere of the brain has a more positive and negativepsychology or valence, using lateral visual field stimulation (LVFS);applying light energy to the hemisphere with the more positive affect;and applying light energy to the hemisphere with the more negativeeffect. In an embodiment, if both hemispheres have about equal levels ofpositive or negative valence, both hemispheres may benefit from thelight energy. In an embodiment, light energy may include near infraredlight (NIR). The methods of the present disclosure may be used to treata variety of psychiatric disorders.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method fortreating psychiatric disorders using light energy, including determiningwhich hemisphere of the brain has a more negative psychology or valence,using lateral visual field stimulation (LVFS); applying light energy tothe hemisphere with the more negative affect; and increasing cerebralblood flow in the opposing hemisphere. In an embodiment, light energymay include near infrared light (NIR). The methods of the presentdisclosure may be used to treat a variety of psychiatric disorders.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided method fortreating a patient, including determining which portion of the brain ofthe patient requires treatment; and applying light energy to the portionto treat the patient. The light might be applied bilaterally over theleft and the right dorsolateral pre-frontal corticies. In an embodiment,the treatment may be used to treat depression. In another embodiment,the treatment may be used to improve the well-being of the patient.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method fortreating a patient, including determining which portion of the brainneeds treatment; and applying light energy to the portion of the brainto treat the patient. In an embodiment, the treatment may be used totreat depression. In an embodiment, the treatment may be used to causean improvement in the well-being of the patient.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method fortreating a psychiatric disorder in a patient including applying lightenergy to a brain to treat the psychiatric disorder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The presently disclosed embodiments will be further explained withreference to the attached drawings, wherein like structures are referredto by like numerals throughout the several views. The drawings shown arenot necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placedupon illustrating the principles of the presently disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of glasses used for lateral visual fieldstimulation.

FIGS. 2A-2B show images of the brain having different activity byfunctional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in the left and rightcerebral hemispheres after looking out of the left or the right lateralvisual field. FIG. 2A shows brain activity after looking out of the lefthalf of the left eye (the left lateral visual field). FIG. 2B showsbrain activity after looking out of the right half of the right eye (theright lateral visual field).

FIG. 3 shows NIR light being applied to the left side of the head usingPhotobiomodulation (PBM). The patches above the patient's eyebrows areconnected to a commercial device for measuring cerebral blood flow inthe front of the brain on the left and the right sides.

FIG. 4 shows a close up of the NIR-PBM device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a control unit of the NIR-PBM device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 shows that there was an increase in cerebral blood flow when theNIR light was on compared to when it was off.

FIG. 7 shows that after the NIR treatment, there was an increase inpositive affect when the brain hemisphere with a positive emotionalvalence was treated (matched treatment and hemisphere), but a decreasein positive affect when the brain hemisphere with a negative emotionalvalence was treated (unmatched).

FIG. 8 shows that at 2-weeks post treatment, a decrease in anxiety (asmeasured by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale) was related to thepatient's baseline hemispheric emotional valence (HEV) and cerebralblood flow. Those patients with a left negative HEV and an increase inright frontal CBF had less anxiety, as did those patients with a rightnegative HEV and an increase in left frontal CBF.

While the above-identified drawings set forth presently disclosedembodiments, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in thediscussion. This disclosure presents illustrative embodiments by way ofrepresentation and not limitation. Numerous other modifications andembodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall withinthe scope and spirit of the principles of the presently disclosedembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Methods of treating psychiatric or psychological disorders using lightenergy are disclosed herein. The methods of the present disclosure mayinclude using lateral visual field stimulation (LVFS) to determine whichhemisphere of the brain requires treatment. Light energy may be appliedto the chosen hemisphere to treat the psychological disorder. In anembodiment, the light energy may include near infrared light (NIR). Themethods of the present disclosure may be used to treat a variety ofpsychological disorders.

As used herein, the terms “depression,” “depressive disorder,”“dysthymic disorder,” “major depressive disorder” and “unipolardepression” refer to a DSM-IV definition of depression.

As used herein, the term “psychiatric disorders” refers to anypsychiatric disorders including, but not limited to, depression,attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxietydisorders, alcoholism, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia,phobias, Asperser's syndrome, dissociative disorders, insomnia, andborderline personality disorder. The DSM-IV definition applies to thesepsychiatric disorders. Psychiatric disorders also include substanceabuse disorders (i.e., alcohol abuse or opiate dependence or abuse)caused either by depression or not caused by depression, persistentanxiety, anxiety attacks, feelings of panic, fears of social contacts,nightmares, flashbacks, obsessive thoughts, compulsive behavior,attention disorder, sexual problem, and irrational thinking.

As used herein, the term “co-morbid” or “co-existent” refers to anypsychiatric disorders that exist in addition to a primary disease ordisorder, such as depression.

As used herein, the term “transcranial” refers to a procedure that isperformed through the cranium, or the skull that covers and protects thebrain. Transcranial refers to a noninvasive method that delivers energyto the neurons of the brain. Transcranial therapy can cause activity inspecific or general parts of the brain with minimal discomfort, allowingthe functioning and interconnections of the brain to be studied and/ortreated. The light device is held on the scalp, no actual contact isnecessary, and the energy passes through the skull and into the brain.Small induced currents can then make brain areas below the light devicemore or less active, depending on the settings used.

As used herein, the term “treat”, “treating” or “stimulating” refers toenhancing a person's positive outlook or suppressing a person's negativeoutlook. This may refer to a person's psychological well-being,including but not limited to their emotional, cognitive, andmotivational states. Those persons who are successfully treated can findmore appreciation for life, for themselves (improved self-esteem), theirwork, and their personal relationships.

Well-being refers to a state of wellness of body, mind and soul, whereall are in a state of health, the individual is happy and prospering.Well-being describes the overall welfare of an individual including agood or satisfactory condition of existence. Well-being is a statecharacterized by health, happiness, and prosperity.

Psychiatric disorders include, but are not limited to, depression,attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxietydisorders, alcoholism, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia,phobias, Asperser's syndrome, dissociative disorders, insomnia andborderline personality disorder. One prevalent psychiatric disorder isdepression. Depression may be defined as a combination of sadness, lossof energy, feelings of hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, insomnia,and irritability. The National Comorbidity Survey reported that 46% ofmen and 58% of women have suffered in their lifetime at least a two-weekperiod in which they experienced a persistent depressed mood. Majordepression has a lifetime prevalence of about 16%, and it is estimatedthat by 2020, it will be the second greatest contributor to theimpairment of global health. A recent Australian survey reported thatanxiety disorders were the most common mental disorder with a lifetimeprevalence of 26%.

In psychiatry, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of MentalDisorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) is a manual published by the AmericanPsychiatric Association (APA) that includes all currently recognizedmental health disorders. In the DSM-IV, there are two diagnoses fordepression, Major Depression and Dysthymic Disorder, as described below.

Major Depressive Disorder is characterized by one or more MajorDepressive Episodes (i.e., at least 2 weeks of depressed mood or loss ofinterest accompanied by at least four additional symptoms ofdepression). Dysthymic Disorder is characterized by at least 2 years ofdepressed mood for more days than not, accompanied by additionaldepressive symptoms that do not meet criteria for a Major DepressiveEpisode.

Criteria for Major Depressive Episode include:

A. Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during thesame 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; atleast one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss ofinterest or pleasure. Note: Do not include symptoms that are clearly dueto a general medical condition, or mood-incongruent delusions orhallucinations.

-   -   (1) depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as        indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty)        or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful). Note: In        children and adolescents, can be irritable mood.    -   (2) markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost        all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated        by either subjective account or observation made by others)    -   (3) significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain        (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or        decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. Note: In        children, consider failure to make expected weight gains.    -   (4) insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day    -   (5) psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day        (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of        restlessness or being slowed down)    -   (6) fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day    -   (7) feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate        guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely        self-reproach or guilt about being sick)    -   (8) diminished ability to think or concentrate, or        indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account        or as observed by others)    -   (9) recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying),        recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a        suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide

B. The symptoms do not meet criteria for a Mixed Episode.

C. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment insocial, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

D. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of asubstance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medicalcondition (e.g., hypothyroidism).

E. The symptoms are not better accounted for by Bereavement, i.e., afterthe loss of a loved one, the symptoms persist for longer than 2 monthsor are characterized by marked functional impairment, morbidpreoccupation with worthlessness, suicidal ideation, psychotic symptoms,or psychomotor retardation.

Diagnostic criteria for Dysthymic Disorder include:

A. Depressed mood for most of the day, for more days than not, asindicated either by subjective account or observation by others, for atleast 2 years. Note: In children and adolescents, mood can be irritableand duration must be at least 1 year.

B. Presence, while depressed, of two (or more) of the following:

-   -   (1) poor appetite or overeating    -   (2) insomnia or hypersomnia    -   (3) low energy or fatigue    -   (4) low self-esteem    -   (5) poor concentration or difficulty making decisions    -   (6) feelings of hopelessness

The DSM-IV (1), the International Classification of Diseases(ICD-9-CM)(2), and as described in The Comprehensive Textbook ofPsychiatry (3), thus, define depressive disorders, which in the DSM-IVand the ICD-9-CM are given specific diagnostic codes: major depressionis 962.3 and dysthymia is 300.4. In distinction from the depressivedisorders, the DSM-IV, ICD-9-CM, the Comprehensive Textbook ofPsychiatry, and the accepted practice in the profession (4) considerother disorders as separated and distinct psychiatric diagnoses. TheDSM-IV list of major categories is as follows:

-   -   Disorders Usually First Diagnosed in Infancy, Childhood, or        Adolescence    -   Delirium, Dementia, and Amnestic and Other Cognitive Disorders    -   Mental Disorders Due to a General Medical Condition    -   Substance-Related Disorders    -   Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders    -   Mood Disorders    -   Anxiety Disorders    -   Somatoform Disorders    -   Factitious Disorders    -   Dissociative Disorders    -   Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders    -   Eating Disorders    -   Sleep Disorders    -   Impulse-Control Disorders Not Elsewhere Classified    -   Adjustment Disorders    -   Personality Disorders    -   Other Conditions That May Be a Focus of Clinical Attention

The depressive disorders are listed under Mood Disorders. The professionconsiders other diagnostic categories distinct and separate fromdepressive disorders in terms of diagnosis, treatment, clinical course,symptoms, genetics, and brain pathophysiology. For example,electro-convulsive therapy is commonly used to treat major depression,but is not used for childhood disorders, dementia, mental disorders dueto a general medical condition, substance-related disorders, anxietydisorders, somatoform disorders, factitious disorders, dissociativedisorders, sexual and gender identity disorders, eating disorders, sleepdisorders, impulse-control disorders, adjustment disorders orpersonality disorders. Benzodiazepams such as diazepam or klonazepam arecommon treatments for anxiety disorders but are likely to make depressedpatients more depressed. Schizophrenia is treated with antipsychoticmedications that, with a few exceptions, are only used to treatpsychotic patients. Buprenorphine is used to treat opiate dependence,but is not approved for any other diagnosis. Disulfiram is used only inthe treatment of alcohol dependence.

Depression can run in families, and usually starts between the ages of15 and 30. It is much more common in women. Women can also getpostpartum depression after the birth of a baby. Some people getseasonal affective disorder in the winter. Depression is one part ofbipolar disorder. There are effective treatments for depression,including antidepressants and talk therapy. Many depressed people dobest by using both.

Depression is considered separate and distinct from other psychiatric orpsychological disorders. Depression by any definition does not encompassmost psychological disorders. For example, people who are diagnosed withschizophrenia have delusions and/or hallucinations, and have adeterioration of their personality rendering them almost alwaysincapable of complex work or sustained relationships. A person with ananxiety disorder will suffer excessive apprehension and worry withheightened arousal, but will not feel sad or hopeless unless he suffers,in addition, a coexisting depressive disorder. A person who abusessubstances will usually not also suffer anxiety or depression, althoughhe may have a dual diagnosis in which both a substance abuse disorderand another disorder such as an anxiety disorder or a depressivedisorder are also present. 47% of patients diagnosed with schizophreniaalso have a substance abuse disorder.

Each of the diagnostic entities in the DSM-IV are supported not only byclinical descriptions, but also by biological studies that useelectroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalograpy (MEG), functionalmagnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), evoked potentials, electrodermalactivity, biochemical markers (catecholamines and catecholaminemetabolites; indoleamines and indoleamine metabolites, acetylcholine,histamine, aminoacids, melatonin, prostaglaindins, opoid petptides,neupropeptides, enzymes, receptor densities), psychoimmunologicalmarkers, genetic markers, and animal models.

By modern scientific techniques, depressive disorders and other DSM-IVdisorders can be distinguished from each other. For example, as reviewedin the textbook, Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Psychiatry by Loosenand Shelon, antidepressant treatments (including pharmacotherapy andelectroconvulsive therapy [ECT]) cause desensitization of thenorepinephrine receptor—coupled adenylate cyclase system in brain, whichis linked to a decrease in the density of adrenoceptors in the brain.This decrease in receptor sites paralleled the delayed onset of actioncommon to all antidepressants. Further, depression is associated withthe integration of multiple intracellular signals that regulate neuronalresponse (i.e., changes in G protein, cyclic adenosine monophosphate, orprotein kinase and the induction of gene transcription). Theseintracellular signals ultimately affect the expression of specificgenes. It is these abnormalities of intracellular signal transductionand/or gene expression that underlie much of the physiology ofdepression. Other neurotransmitters (e.g., acetylcholine, gamma aminobutyric acid, melatonin, glycine, histamine), hormones (e.g., thyroidand adrenal hormones), and neuropeptides (e.g., corticotropin-releasinghormone, endorphins, enkephalins, vasopressin, cholecystokinin,substance P) also play significant roles in the physiology ofdepression.

In depression, functional imaging studies most consistently demonstratea decreased prefrontal cortex (PFC), especially left PFC, blood flow.These findings correlate with severity of illness and cognitiveimpairment. Functional imaging in depressed patients also show basalganglia abnormalities, involving decreased blood flow and metabolism aswell as increased activity of amygdala. In major depression, otherneuroimaging studies show abnormalities in the hippocampus, cingulate,and related parts of the striatum and thalamus. Together data offer aneural model for depression in which dysfunction of limbic, striatal,and PFC structures impair the modulation of the amygdala/hippocampuscomplex and lead to abnormal processing of emotional stimuli. Depressionalso tends to be associated with lesions in the left frontotemporal orright parieto-occipital regions.

Many patients with dysthymic disorder have brain wave (EEG)abnormalities that mimic those found in major depression such as reducedREM latency, increased REM density, reduced slow-wave sleep, impairedsleep continuity. Patients with dysthymia who have these EEGabnormalities more frequently have a positive family history for majordepression. They also respond better to antidepressant medications.

Anxiety disorders have scientific findings that differentiate them fromdepression and other psychiatric or psychological disorders. In patientswith anxiety disorders functional neuroimaging shows abnormalitiesduring symptom provocation tests, in the limbic, paralimbic and sensoryassociation regions.

For anxiety there is a general theory of a neural behavioral-inhibitionsystem. This system evaluates stimuli to attempt to determine theirlevel of dangerousness and simultaneously in response produce behavioralinhibition and increase arousal and attention. Antianxiety drugs inhibitbrain areas involved in these responses. From animal studies usingpharmacological agents and/or brain lesions, anxiety is associated withseveral interconnected anatomical areas. Sensory stimuli that areinterpreted as dangerous activate the hippocampus, especially theentorhinal cortex, which secondarily induces habituation by actions onthe lateral and medial septal areas, which then stimulate the cingulatewhich induces behavioral inhibition. Several specific neurotransmittersystems influence this anxiety mechanism, including noradrenergicactivity of the locus coeruleus, serotonergic systems originating in theraphe, and by widespread GABAA-receptor activity (which are the mainlocus of activity of the benzodiazepines).

Stimuli that are interpreted as acute threats activate the “fight orflight” response, which is mediated especially by the locus coeruleusand the amygdala. The amygdala encodes fearful memories and aversiveconditioning and participates in the acute fear and negativeanticipation that we call anxiety.

Further, intense anxiety stimulates the sympathetic nervous system viathe locus coeruleus, and this induces tachycardia, tremor, anddiaphoresis. The frontal cortex becomes aware of the anxiety and inducesbehavioral responses which are attempts to improve survival, but whichoften cause more harm and increase danger. The cingulate, in anxietydisorders, attempts to improve the communication between the cortex andthe subcortical areas.

Patients with a panic disorder can have a panic attack induced byintravenous sodium lactate or inhalation of 5-35% CO2. This will notaffect individuals who do not suffer a panic disorder. These agentsactivate the locus coeruleus. There is new evidence that 5-HT1A-receptorbinding is reduced in some patients with panic disorder.

In an embodiment, the methods of the present disclosure can be used todiagnose and treat the human brain for psychological, psychiatric,depressive, neurological, general well-being and other conditions. In anembodiment, the methods of the present disclosure may include the use ofa light treatment device to diagnose and treat depression. In anembodiment, the methods of the present disclosure may be used todiagnose and treat psychiatric disorders other than depressionincluding, but not limited to, attention deficit disorder,schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, substance abusedisorders such as alcohol abuse and drug abuse, eating disorders such asanorexia and bulimia, phobias, Asperser's syndrome, dissociativedisorders, insomnia, borderline personality disorder or combinationsthereof. In an embodiment, the methods of the present disclosure may beused to diagnose and treat other psychiatric or psychological disordersincluding, but not limited to, persistent anxiety, anxiety attacks,feelings of panic, fears of social contacts, nightmares, flashbacks,alcohol or drug abuse, obsessive thoughts, compulsive behavior,attention disorder, sexual problem, eating disorder such as anorexia,bulimia or obesity, irrational thinking, or combinations thereof. In anembodiment, the methods of the present disclosure may be used todiagnose and treat psychiatric disorders that are co-morbid orco-existent with depression. In an embodiment, the methods of thepresent disclosure may be used to diagnose and treat more than onepsychiatric disorder at a given time. For instance, the method maydiagnose and treat a patient having both depression and attentiondeficit disorder or a patient having both anorexia and insomnia. In anembodiment, the methods of the present disclosure may be used to benefitpersons who do not have any psychological disorders. For patientswithout any of the above psychological disorders, the methods of thepresent disclosure may help improve their psychological well-being andenhance their positive outlook. These patients can find moreappreciation for life, for themselves (improved self-esteem), theirwork, and their personal relationships. The methods of the presentdisclosure may improve patient self-confidence, positive disposition,interpersonal relationships, and/or quality of life.

A recently published study was conducted of an open clinical trial ofthe use of transcranial near infra-red light to treat 10 psychiatricpatients (5 males) with a current major depressive disorder with acomorbid anxiety disorder, including 3 with a history of Post-TraumaticStress Disorder. Schiffer F, Johnston A L, Ravichandran C, Polcari A,Teicher M H, Webb R H, Hamblin M R. Psychological benefits 2 and 4 weeksafter a single treatment with near infrared light to the forehead: apilot study of 10 patients with major depression and anxiety. Behavioraland Brain Functions. 2009 Dec. 8; 5:46.

Seven of these patients had a past history of opiate dependence (6patients) and one had a history of alcohol dependence. The patients wereallowed to continue their usual psychiatric treatments, but were asked,if possible to not alter their on-going treatments. None altered theirtreatments from 2 weeks before the NIR-PBM or during the 4-weekfollow-up.

As a baseline measure each patient had a Standardized ClinicalDiagnostic Interview to determine their diagnosis. The patients also hadtheir hemispheric emotional valence measured using lateral visual fieldstimulation (LVFS), which includes having a patient look out of one sideof taped safety goggles to allow their vision to be restricted on eitherthe left or the right lateral visual field. Earlier studies found thatLVFS can induce EEG, ear temperature, and fMRI changes. These resultsindicate that looking out the right visual field activates the lefthemisphere of the brain and that looking out of the left visual fieldactivates the right hemisphere of the brain.

Earlier studies further reported that looking out of one lateral visualfield for a minute or more can induce a personality alteration such thatone side (left or right) in 80% of patients will induce a more maturepersonality while looking out of the other visual field will stimulate apersonality that is more immature and more negatively effected by pasttraumas. By measuring the affective state of the patient while he or shelooks out of both visual fields we can calculate a hemispheric emotionalvalence which indicates the degree to which either the left or the rightcerebral hemisphere is mature and healthy or immature and neurotic. Somestudies suggest that using the patient's hemispheric valence might guidethe application of lateralized treatments to the brain for psychiatricconditions as well as help in the evaluation of data from experimentstreating one cerebral hemisphere. For example, two similar but differentstudies reported that the baseline hemispheric emotional valencepredicted which patients would respond to left-sided transcranialmagnetic stimulation, an FDA approved treatment for depression thatapplies a powerful electromagnet to the left-side of the head. Bothstudies suggested that treating a patient who has a positive hemisphericvalence in his left hemisphere (the treated hemisphere) will do well,but that patients who have a negative hemispheric emotional valence intheir left hemisphere (the treated hemisphere) will not do well.

As another baseline measure each patient was given a Hamilton DepressionRating Scale, a Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and a Positive andNegative Affect Scale. The two Hamilton scales are used to measurechanges in depression and in anxiety from a treatment over at least aweek. The Positive and Negative Affect Scale is used to measureimmediate changes in mood following a treatment.

Each patient's cerebral blood flow in the frontal poles of their brainon both the left and right sides was measured using, for instance, acommercial device. The patients then received 4 treatments. Twotreatments were placebo treatments, with the near infrared light turnedoff, one treatment was over the left side of the forehead and anothertreatment was over the right-side. The two active treatments consistedof a 4-minute treatment with near infrared light at 240 mW, one on theleft-side of the forehead and the other on the right-side. Patients wereunable to detect whether the light was on or off, and so the light offcondition acted as a placebo condition.

Immediately after each treatment (left-side “on”, left-side “off”,right-side “on”, right-side “off” we measured the patient's affectivestate with the Positive and Negative Affective Scale. During eachtreatment we measured the cerebral blood flow in the left and in theright frontal pole of the patient's brain. At two weeks post treatmentand at four weeks post-treatment we repeated both of the Hamiltonscales.

The study revealed several findings. First, following each of the 4treatment conditions, the Positive and Negative Affective Scale scoresshowed an improvement if the side with a positive hemispheric emotionalvalence was treated but a worsening in the measured affective state ifthe hemisphere with a negative hemispheric emotional valence weretreated. Second, the study found when the left side of the forehead wastreated with the light on, the frontal pole blood flow was 0.65±sd 0.08,compared to 0.06±sd 0.05 when the left-side was treated with the lightoff, placebo condition.

The study also revealed that at 2-weeks post treatment (all 4 treatmentconditions were given on the same day) there was a dramatic improvementin both the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and in the Hamilton AnxietyRating Scale. Sixty percent of the 10 patients went into a remissiondefined as a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score of <10 at 2-weekspost treatment. For the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, 70% achieved aremission at this criteria. These results compare favorably othertreatments for depression or anxiety disorders such as cognitivebehavior therapy of 30 weeks, serotonin reuptake inhibitors for 8 weeks,a course of transcranial magnetic stimulation or a course ofelectro-convulsive shock therapy as discussed in our publication. Sincethe sample of patients included those suffering from major depression, ageneralized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and recentsubstance abuse, this NIR-PBM treatment might be suitable for additionaldiagnostic groups.

The study further showed that the outcomes on the Hamilton AnxietyRating Scale were predicted by an interaction between the individualpatient's hemispheric emotional valence times the increase in blood flowin the frontal pole on the side of the positive hemispheric valence.(See FIG. 8)

As a result, the study found that bilateral NIR-PBM treatments led tohighly significant improvements 2 weeks post treatment. The study alsofound that immediately after treatment, patients did well when thehemisphere with a positive valence was treated and poorly when thehemisphere with a negative valence was treated. From this observation,it is likely that treating only the side with a positive hemisphericvalence might give better results than the bilateral treatment resultsat 2-weeks post treatment. The location of treatment is likely alsoimportant. Treating over the upper side of the forehead, in anembodiment, is likely to activate the hemisphere while treating over thearea of the forehead over the eye may have an inhibitory effect.

The study results are not likely due to placebo effects for severalreasons. First, placebo effects are usually on the order of a 20%improvement and our improvement was on the order of 50 to 60%. Second,cerebral blood flow increased when the NIR-PBM was “on” versus theplacebo “off” condition. Patients could not determine whether or not thelight was on or off. Third, immediately following the treatments, thepatients improved to a greater extent when the hemisphere with apositive hemispheric emotional valence was treated. And finally, theHamilton Anxiety Rating Scale scores were predicted by the product ofthe lateralized cerebral blood flow and the hemispheric emotionalvalence.

The methods of the present disclosure can be used with light treatmentdevices known in the art that deliver light energy for diagnosis andtreatment of the human brain for psychological, psychiatric, depressive,neurological, general well-being and other conditions. In oneembodiment, the methods of the present disclosure may include the use oflateral visual field stimulation (LVFS) in conjunction with lighttreatments to help treat a variety of psychiatric disorders orpsychological conditions. The brain is at its core an informationprocessor. It takes sensory inputs, interprets them, and decides on aresponse. A computer is also an information processor that takes inputsand creates responses or outputs. The computer uses transistor states tocode information; the brain uses neural firing patterns or biologicalneural networks to code its information. Like a computer the brain usesparallel and serial processing, and different biological neural networksin the brain operated somewhat independently, but, like a computer in anetwork, are related to other biological neural networks. The brain'sneural networks have hierarchical arrangements. For example, sensoryassociation areas of the brain have biological neural networks thatprocess information from several primary sensory areas (perhaps forhearing, sight, and touch). The biological neural networks in thesensory association areas will relate to higher order association areasin the frontal cortices whose biological neural networks integrate thesensory information with information from other biological neuralnetworks having to do with other functions such as emotion or memory.Each neural network processes information, and as such is a mini-brain,which combines with other biological neural networks to create higherlevels of function and eventually create a mind with perceptions,emotions, motivations, and actions or behaviors. A person can have adominant high-level set of biological neural networks that support hisdominant personality, but he may have competing high-level sets ofneural networks that support a personality with somewhat differentperceptions, emotions, motivations, actions or behaviors. These highlevel biological neural networks appear to have a relationship with oneor the other of the two cerebral hemispheres of the brain. The neuralnetworks associated with one hemisphere (either the left or the right)might be more affected by past traumas and have a more neuroticperception of the world. For example, someone who was bullied as achild, might as an adult, have high level neural networks thatincorrectly perceive the world as hostile and threatening. That personmay have another set of high level neural networks, associated with theother cerebral hemisphere, that are healthier and see the world (as itnow actually is) as safe. Depending on which set of high-level neuralnetworks is dominant at a particular time, the person will manifest apersonality that is either troubled or is healthier (or some combinationof the two).

Childhood traumas are almost always associated with biological neuralnetworks that are associated with one hemisphere more than the other.Troubled biological neural networks may not be associated with only onehemisphere, but rather they may be associated more with one hemisphereover the other and once stimulated can take over the entire brain.Different set of neural networks can compete for dominance and when incontrol can use more and more of the brains neurons. In a computer, oneprogram such as Word uses the same transistors that a different programsuch as Excel uses. The allocation of neurons within the brain may bedetermined by the struggles between competing sets of biological neuralnetworks.

Each diagnostic entity is manifested by different configurations ofbiological neural networks involving different brain locations anddifferent neural transmitters and so are distinct entities as describedabove. However, each entity may involve a healthier and a morepathological set of neural networks that are associated each with one ofthe two cerebral hemispheres. Which hemisphere is associated with themore pathological neural networks has to be determined for eachindividual patient. This may refer to a hemispheric valence. Thehemisphere with the healthier neural networks is said to have a morepositive hemispheric emotional valence. The other cerebral hemisphere isthought to have a more negative hemispheric emotional valence.

This explanation is based mainly on two observations. The first is thatwe know that the eyes in all people are connected to the brain so thatimages projected to the left visual field are sent first to the rightcerebral hemisphere. The information can then be sent via the corpuscallosum to the opposite hemisphere, but in patients in whom the corpuscallosum has been severed as a treatment for epilepsy, the image is seenonly by one hemisphere. This discovery led to the “Split-brain Studies”for which Roger Sperry won the Nobel Prize. We found that havingpatients limit their vision to either the left or right lateral visualfield while in an fMRI scanner led to the observation illustrated inFIG. 2 that when the patients looked out of their right lateral visualfield the blood flow (and presumably their brain activity) in their leftbrain was dramatically increased. The opposite occurred when thesubjects looked out of the left lateral visual field.

In an embodiment, based on earlier publications, having a person lookout of one lateral visual field and then the other could cause dramaticchanges in the patients' psychological state. About 60% of patients mayfeel differently when they look out of one visual field versus the otherand about 30% have extreme responses. About 85% of patients with severesymptoms will have an extreme response. An example of an extremeresponse is the following: a patient who is a veteran of the war in VietNam looked out of his right lateral visual field and saw a large plantbehind me and became alarmed. He said, “That plant looks like thejungle!” I asked him quickly to look out of the left lateral visualfield and he said, “That's a nice looking plant.” He was obviouslydistressed when looking out the right lateral visual field and wasrelaxed and calmed when looking out of the left lateral visual field.The side in which the patient gets upset is consistent for that patient,but for another given patient the side that is upsetting can be eitherthe left or right side. Patients with post-traumatic stress disorder,about 65% of the time, feel more distressed when they look out of theright visual field (left brain is more distressed). Patients with majordepression about 65% of the time feel more distressed when looking outof the left lateral visual field.

LVFS can be used to guide the placement of light treatments. In anembodiment, LVFS may be used to activate positive neural networks andnegative neural networks. The positive neural networks and the negativeneural networks in the brain may be associated with positive or negativeoutlooks on the world, respectively. In an embodiment, traumaticexperiences may be associated with specific neural networks that are insome way associated with one hemisphere. Treatment of psychologicalconditions may include treating these negative neural networks, eitherthrough education, suppression, by enhancing the positive neuralnetworks associated with the hemisphere with a positive HEV,psychotherapy, deep brain stimulation, certain psychotropic medications,unilateral ECT, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or by acombination of methods. In an embodiment, near infrared (NIR) treatmentsmay be used to enhance the positive hemisphere, suppress the negative,and to support the teaching or healing of the negative neural networksso that the trauma can be tolerated, grieved and recovered from. Inanother embodiment, NIR treatments can be combined with othertreatments.

In an embodiment, the methods of the present disclosure may include theuse of glasses for the LVFS treatment. As shown in FIG. 1, glasses, suchas safety glasses or goggles, are taped or covered so that they permitvision to only one lateral visual field at a time. The patient is askedto look to one side and to fixate the center of his vision on the edgeof the tape so that he or she is looking out of the lateral half of oneeye. Vision from the other eye is occluded by the tape on the otherside. While looking out of the specific visual field, the patient isasked to look at a photograph of a man or woman with a mildly angryfacial expression. After 45 seconds, he or she is asked to verbally ratehis or her present feelings for each of 10 affects from Positive andNegative Affect Scale (PANAS), from none to extreme on a 5 point scale.Following the PANAS measurements, the patient is asked to rest for 1minute looking straight ahead so that vision from both eyes is occluded.The patient is then asked to repeat the procedure by looking out of thesecond visual field.

The PANAS has 5 positive affects including alert, inspired, determined,attentive, active and 5 negative affects including upset, hostile,ashamed, nervous, afraid. For each visual field, the sum of the scoreson the 5 negative affects is subtracted from the scores from the 5positive affects and the difference is the PANAS score. The scoremeasured when the person looks out of the right lateral visual field(RVF) is subtracted from the score measured when the person looks out ofthe left lateral visual field (LFV). The LVF is indicative of the stateof the right hemisphere since the connection between the medial retinasand the cerebral hemispheres are crossed. Since a more positive PANASscore indicates more positive affect, we assign a value for the person'sHEV according to the formula: LVF PANAS score—RVF PANAS. A positivescore suggests that the right hemisphere has a more positive HEV.Research studies show that LVFS offers a good indication that the leftand right cerebral hemispheres are generally associated with differentemotional valences such that one hemisphere (either left or right) isassociated with a more positive outlook on the world (positivehemispheric valence) and the other a more negative outlook on the world(negative hemispheric valence).

A person's personality and some of the person's psychologicalcharacteristics may be affected by which hemisphere, right or lefthemisphere, dominates. The eyes are connected to the brain so thatvision to the left side of a person goes first to the opposite (right)hemisphere and vision to the right side of a person goes first to theleft hemisphere. One hemisphere can be stimulated over the other byrestricting vision to a portion of the retina of an eye that isconnected to a particular hemisphere of the brain. For instance, LVFShas been shown by fMRI to induce a very large increase in brain activityin the hemisphere opposite the visual field, when the subject looked outof the left visual field (LVF) and the right visual field (RVF). FIG. 2shows images of the brain having different activity in the left andright cerebral hemispheres after looking out of the left and rightlateral visual fields. FIG. 2A shows brain activity after looking out ofthe left half of the left eye. FIG. 2B shows brain activity afterlooking out of the right half of the right eye. As an example, a personlooking out of one visual field might see another person as verycritical of him and he might feel very critical of himself. Looking outthe opposite visual field he is apt to see another person as quiteapproving of him and he is apt to see himself positively.

In an embodiment, the PANAS score may be used to determine whichhemisphere of the brain to treat for a psychological disorder. Treating,or stimulating, one hemisphere of the brain at a time may cause certainchanges in the psychological state of a person. These changes include,but are not limited to, a more positive outlook and a reduction in anegative outlook. In one embodiment, applying light over the upper sideof the forehead (over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) will stimulatethe hemisphere on that same side. In an embodiment, stimulating thebrain in the medial pre-frontal cortex (stimulating transcranially onthe forehead just above the eye on one side will inhibit the limbicsystem on that same side. In some embodiments, applying light on theforehead over the eye is likely to be emotionally inhibitory. In otherembodiments, applying light over the upper side of the forehead (i.e.,over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) over the hemisphere with apositive valence is likely to be helpful as would be treating over themedial pre-frontal cortex of the other hemisphere (with a more negativevalence) to inhibit the limbic system of the hemisphere with a negativevalence. With clinical practice, one could expect to improve this art bylearning better locations and parameters for light treatments.

In an embodiment, diagnosing and treating one hemisphere of the brainmay only cause changes in the psychological state of a person having apositive HEV. For example, treating the left hemisphere may benefitthose patients who had a positive left hemispheric emotional valence(HEV), but not those with a negative left HEV. On the other hand,treating the right hemisphere may benefit those patients who had apositive right hemispheric emotional valence (HEV), but not those with anegative right HEV. In an embodiment, treating one hemisphere of thebrain may only cause changes in the psychological state of person havinga negative HEV. For example, treating the left hemisphere may benefitthose patients who had a negative left hemispheric emotional valence(HEV), but not those with a positive left HEV. On the other hand,treating the right hemisphere may benefit those patients who had anegative right hemispheric emotional valence (HEV), but not those with apositive right HEV. In an embodiment, treating one hemisphere of thebrain may cause changes in the psychological state of person having aneither a positive HEV or a negative HEV. In an embodiment, diagnosis andtreatment of a psychological disorder may be specific for eachparticular disorder. For example, treatment of anorexia may requiretreatment of the hemisphere with a positive HEV while treatment ofinsomnia may require treatment of the hemisphere with a negative HEV.

In an embodiment, the methods of the present disclosure may includeusing light energy to treat a hemisphere of the brain. In an embodiment,the light energy may include near infrared light (NIR). During thisprocedure, subjects can wear protective eyewear to prevent the light tobe shined into their eyes. NIR light may, in an embodiment, be appliedusing Photobiomodulation (PBM) in the form of an LED, as shown in FIG.3. FIG. 4 shows a close up of the PBM device. FIG. 5 shows a controlunit of the PBM device. The control unit may contain a power supply. Thepower supply may be in the form of a battery or it may be connected to apower outlet. In an embodiment, the control unit may include at leastone socket to connect with a LED. In an embodiment, one socket and oneLED may be used to treat one location on a patient's head at a giventime. In an embodiment, more than one LED can be used to treat more thanone location on a patient's head at a given time. For example, in strokepatients, NIR may be used over the entire head. A knob is situated onthe control unit to control the voltage to the LED. An increase in thevoltage may be associated with an increase in the light being delivered.

In an embodiment, NIR light may be applied at a distance of about 0 to1000 mm from the skin. In an embodiment, NIR light may be applied at adistance of about 4 mm from the skin. Placing the NIR light at adistance of about 4 mm from the skin at a power density of about 250mW/cm² allows an amount of NIR light and intensity to be directed at aperson's brain without causing harm to the brain during a 4-minutetreatment at a given site. This dose may be safely delivered to othersites on the head in the same treatment setting. This dose could beincreased as long as it is below the ANSI standard of about 320 mW/cm²on the skin at each site. It should be noted that the intensity of theNIR light increases as the NIR light approaches the skin and decreasesin intensity by the square of the distance as the NIR light is movedaway from the skin. One reason for choosing the distance of about 4 mmfrom the skin at a power density of about 250 mW/cm² is that the closerto the skin the more likely the LED will emit heat that cannot bedissipated by the heat sink and fan. If the patient can detect heat,placebo controlled studies may not be conducted as the patient may knowwhether the LED light was on or off. Also, the heat from the LED mightcause the patient to feel pain the closer the LED is to the patient.Additionally, too much light, without heat, can cause damage to theskin. There is a conservative standard for the permissible amount oflight (photons) at near infrared frequency of 810 nm, called the ANSIstandard, as noted above, and studies with NIR light below that standardwill not cause any harm to the patient.

During treatment, the light treatment device may be pulsed, or the lighttreatment may be continuously applied. In certain embodiments, the lighttreatment device may be combined with other types of treatments for animproved therapeutic effect. Treatment can include directing lightthrough the scalp of the patient to a target area of the brainconcurrently with applying an electromagnetic field to the brain. Thelight may be applied with a desired power density and with a desiredelectromagnetic field strength at the target area. In an embodiment,methods of treating a psychiatric disorder may include non-invasivelyirradiating at least a portion of a patient's brain with light energyhaving an efficacious power density and wavelength, sufficient to causea neurotrophic effect and/or regulation of neurotransmitters. In anotherembodiment, methods of treating a psychiatric disorder may includenon-invasively irradiating at least a portion of a patient's brain withlight energy having an efficacious power density and wavelength,sufficient to cause a neurotrophic effect and/or regulation ofneurotransmitters, and delivering the light energy for one or moretreatment periods occurring over the course of at least one week, eachtreatment period having a duration of at least about 1 minute.

In an embodiment, the NIR light may be pulsed when applied to the skin.Pulsing the NIR light can allow the use of a more intense light and yetremain below the ANSI standard. Pulsing the NIR light may be used toentrain the brain and thereby affect the state of the brain. A fasterentrainment can increase brain activity, and a slower entrainment candecrease brain activity.

The light output may be continuously applied at about 250 mW/cm² at awavelength of about 810 nm with a full width half maximum of about 40nm. In an embodiment, the NIR light may be directed at a person's brainfor about 4 minutes (total delivered fluence per spot of 60 J/cm²). Inan embodiment, the procedure with the NIR light may be repeated at atleast one other site on the forehead. In an embodiment, the NIR lightmay penetrate the dura, or the outermost of the three layers of themeninges surrounding the brain, at about 3.7%. In accordance with apenetration of about 3.7%, approximately 2.1 J/cm² of fluence isdelivered to each of the treated areas of the brain. It should be notedthat the level of light exposure is below the ANSI standard of 320mW/cm². The level of light exposure either to the skin (power density of250 mW/cm² and total fluence of 60 J/cm²), to the surface of the brain(power density of 9.5 mW/cm² and total fluence of 2.1 J/cm²) and to eachof the 2 treated areas of the forehead poses no significant risk to theskin or the brain. It should be noted that while described above with aspecific frequency, the invention of the present disclosure could alsouse a frequency from about 300 nm to about 1500 nm. Furthermore, thepresent invention can use any source of light, whether low level laseror LED, so long as its duration and intensity are below the ANSIstandard of 320 mW/cm² on the skin.

The methods of the present disclosure may affect blood flow within thebrain. Blood flow in the brain can be measured in left and right frontalpoles by NIRS, by a blood flow monitoring device, such as a SomaneticsINVOS system, modified by Somanetics to provide total hemoglobin (cHb).In an embodiment, the blood flow monitoring device uses a low power NIRLED. The blood flow monitoring device has no effect on the brain. Theblood flow monitoring device measures the amount of blood in the brainonce a second. In an embodiment, the Somanetics devices measures oxy-and deoxy-hemoglobin. The blood flow monitoring device poses no harm ordiscomfort to subjects and allows subjects to have relatively freemovement. The blood flow monitoring device can be used to monitor cHb inthe left and right frontal poles during PBM. Since the PBM used in anembodiment of the present disclosure is a continuous wave, the lightfrom the PBM is not detected by this NIRS device because it has aproprietary mechanism for excluding continuous light so that sunlightdoes not affect the device's pulsed photon emitter. It should be notedthat the Somanetics device is FDA approved, is commercially available,and is used throughout the world in hospital settings to monitorcerebral perfusion.

In an embodiment, cHb can be measured by NIRS during treatments at atleast one point. In an embodiment, there may be a correlation betweenNIR and improved cHb and mood. For example, there may be greater total(left plus right) cHb during NIR on versus off as shown in FIG. 6. FIG.7 shows that there was a significantly more positive affect when thehemisphere with a positive HEV was treated with NIR-PBM and asignificantly more negative affect after a hemisphere with a negativeHEV was treated. In FIG. 7, “matched” refers to treating the hemispherewith a positive HEV and “unmatched” refers to treating the hemispherewith a negative HEV. PANAS scores declined when the negative hemispherewas treated. Thus, in a blind, placebo-controlled secondary study, thePANAS scores improved on the PANAS items, following NIR treatments tothe hemisphere with a more positive HEV. The PANAS scores correlatedvery highly with the HEV values times agreement (1) or disagreement (−1)with the side treated.

The increase in cHb with NIR suggests that the NIR treatment isaffecting the brain. The improvement in PANAS immediately following thetreatment may indicate that this effect on the brain likely relates tothe alterations in affect. FIG. 8 shows that at 2-weeks post treatment,a decrease in anxiety (as measured by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale)was related to the patient's baseline HEV and cerebral blood flow (CBF).In an embodiment, patients with a left negative HEV and an increase inright frontal CBF had less anxiety. In an embodiment, patients with aright negative HEV and an increase in left frontal CBF had less anxiety.Thus, patients who had an increase in blood flow in their positivehemisphere did better at 2-weeks post treatment. If a person has anegative side, increasing the blood flow on the opposite side can have abeneficial effect at 2-weeks post treatment. The fact that the outcomesat 2-weeks were dependent in regression models on the baseline HEV valueis consistent with the fact that right hemisphere is often associatedwith a positive HEV (in opposition to the popular notion that negativeaffect and/or cognition are associated always with the right hemisphere)and that knowing a patient's HEV can enlighten data reduction and guidetreatment. Cerebral blood flow correlates with brain activity in thefront of the brain. Patients with a negative right HEV and an increasedleft CBF and patients with a negative left HEV and an increased rightCBF may have significantly better outcomes in terms of their HamiltonAnxiety Rating Scale scores at 2-weeks post NIR treatment.

Several theories may help explain the possible correlation between NIRlight and improved cHb and mood. NIR light is known to increase and/orstimulate mitochondrial ATP and nerve growth factors. This may bebecause the energy from the NIR light may be absorbed by themitochondria, which are the energy production centers of the brain.Increasing and/or stimulating mitochondria and mitochondrial ATP mayhelp stimulate the positive neural circuits or inhibit the negativeneural circuits. It is further known that light therapies may promotewound healing or reduce the damage from strokes or heart attacks. Suchstudies were conducted in rats and rabbits.

It should be noted that patients who were treated bilaterally with themethods of the present disclosure experienced a remission of anxietiesat a rate of about seventy percent. Remission refers to the state ofabsence of disease activity in patients with a chronic illness.Remission is measured using a rating scale where a score of greater thanfifteen on the rating scale correlates to having an anxiety disorder anda score of ten or less on the rating scale correlates to being inremission and no longer manifesting an abnormal level of anxiety.Compared to other treatments, a remission rate of about seventy percentis very high. On the Hamilton Depression Scale there was an averagepercent decrease (percent less depression) of 54% 2-weeks after thesingle treatment, and on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, at 2-weekspost treatment, there was a percent decrease of 63%. These also comparewell with other treatments. For example, studies have found that after29 patients with an anxiety disorder were treated with cognitivebehavioral therapy for 30 weeks, those 29 patients achieved a 51%reduction on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale at the end of thetreatment. In addition, studies have found that after 28 patients havingan anxiety disorder were treated with short-term psychodynamicpsychotherapy for 30 weeks, those 28 patients achieved a 43% reductionon this anxiety rating scale at the end of the treatment. In anembodiment, the methods of the present disclosure treats patients withlight therapy for a total of about 8 minutes, is pain free, and withoutany observed side effects, and is generally inexpensive.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method fortreating psychiatric disorders using light energy, including determiningwhich hemisphere of the brain requires treatment using lateral visualfield stimulation (LVFS) and applying light energy to the hemisphere ofthe brain to treat the psychiatric disorder other than depression. In anembodiment, light energy may include near infrared light (NIR). Themethods of the present disclosure may be used to treat a variety ofpsychiatric disorders.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method fortreating a psychiatric disorder in a patient, including measuring a lefthemispheric emotional valence and a right hemispheric emotional valencefor a left hemisphere of the brain and a right hemisphere of the brainusing a lateral visual field stimulation test; determining whichhemisphere of the brain needs treatment; and applying light energy tothe hemisphere of the brain to treat the psychiatric disorder co-morbidwith depression.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method fortreating a psychiatric disorder in a patient, including measuring a lefthemispheric emotional valence for a left hemisphere of the brain and aright hemispheric emotional valence for a right hemisphere of the brainusing a lateral visual field stimulation test; determining thehemisphere of the brain in need of treatment; and applying light energyto the hemisphere of the brain to treat the psychiatric disorderco-morbid with depression.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method fortreating psychiatric disorders using light energy including determiningwhich hemisphere of the brain has a more positive affect using lateralvisual field stimulation (LVFS) and applying light energy to thehemisphere with the more positive affect. In an embodiment, light energymay include near infrared light (NIR). The methods of the presentdisclosure may be used to treat a variety of psychiatric disorders.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method fortreating psychiatric disorders using light energy including determiningwhich hemisphere of the brain has a more negative affect using lateralvisual field stimulation (LVFS) and applying light energy to thehemisphere with the more negative affect to improve its functioning. Inan embodiment, light energy may include near infrared light (NIR). Themethods of the present disclosure may be used to treat a variety ofpsychiatric disorders.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method fortreating psychiatric disorders using light energy including determiningwhich hemisphere of the brain has a more positive and negative affectusing lateral visual field stimulation (LVFS); applying light energy tothe hemisphere with the more positive affect; and applying light energyto the hemisphere with the more negative effect. In an embodiment, ifboth hemispheres have about equal levels of positive or negativeaffects, both hemispheres may benefit from the light energy. In anembodiment, light energy may include near infrared light (NIR). Themethods of the present disclosure may be used to treat a variety ofpsychiatric disorders.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method fortreating psychiatric disorders using light energy including determiningwhich hemisphere of the brain has a more negative affect using lateralvisual field stimulation (LVFS); applying light energy to the hemispherewith the more negative affect; and increasing cerebral blood flow in theopposing hemisphere. In an embodiment, light energy may include nearinfrared light (NIR). The methods of the present disclosure may be usedto treat a variety of psychiatric disorders.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided method fortreating a patient, including determining which portion of the brain ofthe patient requires treatment; and applying light energy to the portionto treat the patient. The light might be applied bilaterally over theleft and the right dorsolateral pre-frontal corticies. In an embodiment,the treatment may be used to treat depression. In another embodiment,the treatment may be used to improve the well-being of the patient.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method fortreating a patient, including determining which portion of the brainneeds treatment; and applying light energy to the portion of the brainto treat the patient. In an embodiment, the treatment may be used totreat depression. In an embodiment, the treatment may be used to causean improvement in the well-being of the patient.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method fortreating a psychiatric disorder in a patient including applying lightenergy to a brain to treat the psychiatric disorder.

All patents, patent applications, and published references cited hereinare hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. It will beappreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features andfunctions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into manyother different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen orunanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvementstherein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art.

1. A method for enhancing positive outlook of a person with hemisphericasymmetry comprising identifying a person with a deficient positiveoutlook in need of enhancement; measuring a left hemispheric emotionalvalence for a left hemisphere of a brain of the person and a righthemispheric emotional valence for a right hemisphere of the brain of theperson to identify hemispheric asymmetry; determining which hemisphereof the brain of the person with hemispheric asymmetry has a morepositive valence, and which hemisphere of the brain has a more negativevalence; and transcranially applying light energy having a wavelength ofbetween 300 nm to 1500 nm and a power density at the scalp of up to 320mW/cm² to the brain of said person with the deficient positive outlookwith hemispheric asymmetry, wherein the light energy is transcraniallyapplied to the lateral forehead to activate the underlying cortex of thebrain hemisphere with a more positive valence for a period of at leastfour minutes, such that the positive outlook of the person is enhanced.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the positive outlook that is enhancedis psychological well-being.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the lightenergy has a wavelength of 810 nm.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein thelight energy has a wavelength of 810 nm.
 5. The method of claim 2,wherein the enhanced psychological well-being is selected from emotionaloutlook, cognitive outlook, or motivational outlook.
 6. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the enhanced psychological well-being comprisesimprovement in appreciation for life, self, work, or personalrelationships.
 7. The method of claim 2, wherein the enhancedpsychological well-being comprises prospering in: life, work, orinterpersonal relationships.